Truth Decay (book)

Truth Decay was first published as a web-only book on January 16, 2018, by the RAND corporation. This allowed individuals to read the book online without incurring any costs. On 26 January 2018, physical copies of the book were also published by the RAND corporation and made available for order on websites such as Amazon and Apple Books. The RAND corporation is a non-profit and nonpartisan research organization that is based in California. It is concerned about the social, economic and political dangers that truth decay poses to the decision-making processes of individuals in society. Kavanagh, a senior political scientist, has expressed concern that there is an increasing number of people in America and Europe are doubtful of climate change and the efficacy of vaccines. == The term truth decay ==

In Chapter 1, Kavanagh and Rich introduce the term “truth decay”. The term “truth decay” was suggested by Sonni Efron and adopted by the authors of the book to characterize four interrelated trends in American society, including: • Increasing differences between individuals about objective facts; • Increasing conflation of opinion and fact in discourse; • Increasing quantity and authority of opinion rather than fact in discourse; and • Diminishing faith in traditionally authoritative sources of reliable and accurate information. Kavanagh and Rich differentiate truth decay from “fake news”. The authors argue that phenomena such as “fake news” have not, in themselves, catalyzed the shift away from objective facts in political and civil discourse. The authors allege that “fake news” constitutes an aspect of truth decay and the associated challenges arising from the diminishing faith in historically authoritative sources of accurate information such as government, media and education. Notwithstanding this distinction, the authors argue that the expression “fake news” has been intentionally deployed by politicians such as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to diminish the accuracy and facticity of information promulgated by sources that do not align with their partisan position. In that context, the authors argue that a limited focus on phenomena such as “fake news” inhibits a vigorous analysis of the causes and consequences of truth decay in society. == Structure and major arguments ==

Truth Decay is organized in six chapters and explores three historical eras — the 1890s, 1920s, and 1960s — for historical evidence of the four trends of Truth Decay. The authors argue that Truth Decay is “not a new phenomenon” as there has been a sustained increase in the volume and influence of opinion over fact throughout the last century. == Historical context ==

In Chapter 3, the book explores three eras — the 1890s, 1920s, and 1960s — for historical evidence of the aforementioned four trends of truth decay in American society. Gilded Age First, the authors identify the 1880s–1890s as the "Gilded Age". This historical era commenced after the American Civil War and was punctuated by the industrialization of America. The introduction of printing technology increased the output of newspaper publishers. This stimulated competition within the newspaper publishing industry. Thus, "yellow journalism" caused a conflation of opinions and objectively verifiable facts in society. Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression Second, the authors identify the 1920s–1930s as the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression. This historical era was renowned as another period of economic growth and development that catalysed significant changes in the American media industry. The authors argue that radio broadcasting and tabloid journalism emerged as a dramatized form of media that focused on news surrounding public figures such as politicians, actors, musicians and sports athletes as entertainment rather than reliable and accurate information for the audience to utilise in considered decision-making. Nonetheless, Bainer suggests that "new journalism" also augmented reporting as it permitted journalists to disseminate information on matters without the hollow pretence of objective reporting. == Current drivers ==

In Chapter 4, Kavanagh and Rich describe the "drivers" of the aforementioned four trends of truth decay as cognitive prejudices, transformation of information systems and cuts to the education sector. This has a number of impacts on the process of individual decision-making. This causes the interface with invalidating information to further ingrain the partisan opinions of individuals. It is alleged by the authors that, in the long term, cognitive prejudices have created "political, sociodemographic, and economic polarisation" as individuals form cliques that are diametrically opposed in their worldview and communication, thereby attenuating the quality civil discourse in American society. Transformation of information systems Second, the transformation of information systems refers to the surge in the "volume and speed of news" that is disseminated to individuals. The authors note that the move towards a "24-hour news cycle" has increased the number of competitors to traditional news organizations. Ranschaert uses data gained through a longitudinal study of social studies teachers to argue that the decline in individuals relying on teachers for authoritative information has serious implications for ability of the education system to act as a buffer against truth decay. The authors go further than Ranschaert by arguing that, in the long term, this has resulted in a constituency that is vulnerable to absorbing and promoting misinformation as the skill to delineate objective facts from misinformation has atrophied. In that context, the disparity between the media literacy education of students and the challenges posed by Internet technology is said to engender truth decay. == Current consequences ==

In Chapter 5, Kavanagh and Rich describe the consequences of truth decay in America. Deterioration of civil discourse in society First, it is alleged that truth decay manifests in the deterioration of civil discourse in modern American society. For example, America's federal government shut down in 2013 due to the inability of the Senate to pass the Affordable Care Act. The lack of funding for federal operations resulted in a $24 billion loss to the economy. In the long term, political paralysis also causes the U.S. to drop in international standing. Withdrawal of individuals from institutional sites of discourse Third, truth decay is alleged to have engendered the withdrawal of individuals from institutional sites of discourse. The authors argue that the decrease of faith in education institutions, media and government among young voters aged between 18 and 29 precipitated the consistent decrease in the overall number of votes cast in the U.S federal election from 2004 to 2016. This decrease in the exercise of civic responsibility through voting may, in the long run, diminish the ability of citizens to scrutinise state power, thereby diminishing policy making and overall accountability. == Reception ==

Truth Decay was positively received by American audiences. The book debuted as a Nonfiction Bestseller in 2018. On Amazon.com, the book is rated 4.3 stars out of 5 stars. On 22 August 2018, Michael Rich joined Professor Simon Jackman, John Barron, Nick Enfield and Lisa Bero for a discussion of the causes and consequences of truth decay in modern society. ABC and the Washington Post. An article on the ABC website reported on the "troubling trend" of truth decay which was "exposed" by the authors of the book. Obama noted that "a selective sorting of facts and evidence" is deceitful and corrosive to civil discourse. ==References==